Gospel Reflections for December 15 2019
“The Least of these in the Kingdom of God is greater!”
No one would have understood Jesus when He said that! In every ancient Kingdom; Roman, Greek, or Egyptian, those who were weak, poor, or sick were ignored, forgotten, and even despised. They meant nothing.
People in those days admired only power and being on top. For example, if you walked around a corner of a street in ancient Rome, and suddenly came upon three men kicking an old man on the ground, your instinct would be, well …to join in kicking him! It would never occur to you then to help a weak person. Why help a loser? You would naturally join the more powerful side.
That seems so terrible to us today! I am sure you would be horrified to see such a scene and instantly come to the aid of any person in trouble. Your heart naturally goes out to those in need even if in countries far away. Why are people so merciful today?
Remember that 2,019 years ago, the Almighty God of the universe came to earth as a little child …weak, vulnerable, and in great danger. That the God of the universe would do this tells us something important about caring for anyone who is weak, vulnerable, and in danger. Your instinctive desire to help an old man on the ground is the happy legacy of 2,019 years of Christianity, and over 2,019 Christmas celebrations that remember how the God of the Universe came to our rescue as a people in need in Bethlehem …and in your world today.
Today’s Gospel affirms that Jesus helped, “the blind see, the lame walk, the dead rise, and the poor have the Word of God preached to them.” No one is ever ignored, forgotten, or despised in the Kingdom of God! No one should ever again be victimized on any street.
I hope you will learn what good things are happening at your parish this Advent time that help the poor, and offer your help there. You can make the real spirit of Christmas happen in their lives!
Our world still has a long way to go before all injustice is gone, but you can be glad that most people around the world today are horrified when bad things happen and want to help in some way. You can feel proud that this is the very legacy of Christianity since that that ancient Roman street and that first Christmas when Jesus lived the way we are meant to be, full of compassion and love.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
It is heartening to notice that when bad things happen, such as a terrible shooting, the response of the officials and people in the neighborhood is one of compassion and sympathy. I think that is a result of our Christian heritage. That is something that makes America great..
Merry Christmas Father Dave,
We sooooooooooooooooooo loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee your precious words that reveal so beautifully the unravling of our precious faith!! We were born to love, we were born to share love with others, we were born to be other Jesus’ in this world for Jesus showed us the way!!! Merry Christmas our Jesus of lo9ve!! Happy beautiful birthday!!! We sooooooooo loveeeee precious you!! We will liveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee your Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
Guess who!!! Someone who loves!!!!
Wonderful insights as always. Merry Christmas Fr. Dave. Argyle
Amazing insight into the customs of those ancient cultures and how Christianity has influenced our behavior and conscience to help us be caring and loving people! Thanks for sharing your wisdom and knowledge . Laus Deo, Patty
As always Father Dave your explanations of our Bible in very clear language and the bits of history you always add make your homilies very special. Thank you and God Bless and keep you well during this busy, busy time.
Stephanie Toland
Dear Father Dave,
Yes, compassion and love in celebration of God’s generosity in our hearts and souls leads us exquisitely in remembrance to the first Christmas and it’s incredible impact on the world.
To imagine Mary, little more than a child herself, giving birth to her son, Jesus, in a stable, staggers the mind in awe and magnificence.
God bless!
Kathleen A.